Hyderabad: Konda Surekha demanded disciplinary action against CM Revanth Reddy for making statements on his continuation in the post and announcing the party candidates for next assembly election.

She said that if a section of TPCC leaders was demanding disciplinary action against her, similar action should first be considered against CM Revanth Reddy for repeatedly making statements on his continuation in the post and announcing party candidates for future elections.

Speaking to media persons in New Delhi on Wednesday, she pointed to Revanth’s repeated statements that he would remain chief minister for 10 years and his remarks about party candidates for the next elections. She questioned whether such statements, made without a decision from the Congress high command, could also be viewed as anti-party conduct.

Her remarks came against the backdrop of calls by a section of Telangana Congress leaders for disciplinary action against her over comments made by her daughter Sushmita. She said that if action was being sought against her, the party should first examine the conduct of Revanth and other leaders. She also referred to complaints against Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy and the wife of Dy. CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, and questioned why similar demands for action had not been made against them.

Surekha also warned of a possible consolidation of BC groups if action was taken against her.  She said that her husband belongs to the Munnuru Kapu community and she is a Padmasali. Two communities’ together account for 16% of the votes in Telangana, she said. All the BCs in the state will be united if any action is taken against me, she added.

She alleged that she was being targeted because she belongs to the BCs and questioned whether the party was adopting different standards while dealing with BC and non-BC leaders. There are several allegations against non-BC leaders in the party. Are there two types of approaches towards BC and non-BC leaders?

She said the party had not sought her resignation as a Minister. She also said she had written to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and given copies of the letters to other leaders. Surekha met AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan in Delhi and said she had explained her position to them. She said the party had not sought any clarification from her. As a member of the AICC, I met them, she added.

She said she could not meet AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal as he was busy. I do not know what decision the party high command will take, she added. On comments made by her daughter Sushmita, Surekha maintained that she could not be held responsible for the views of an adult, married woman living independently.

Sushmita is a married woman and leading her own life. I am not responsible for the comments made by my daughter. Why did the party issue a show-cause notice to me?